Combined bait pail and minnow trap



Sept. 29, 1936. F SCHONGER 2,055,912

COMBINED BAIT PAIL AND MINNOW TRAP Filed April 27, 1935 Frank Schengen orneg Patented Sept. 29, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE comma nm un. Nn MINNow :mar

Frank sehonger, xerhenmn. N. Y. v Application April 21, 1935, serial No. 13,494Y 1 claim. (ci. tzt-5e)` This invention relates to a. combined bait pail and minnow trap of that class employed by sportsmen in fishing.' for catching live bait and holding thelsame until desired for use, and it relates more particularly to an article of this class which may be readily transported from place to place without injury to the bait.

While I am aware that such articles have lbeen made, they are either constructed of metalwhich not only makes them dark preventing the fish from entering the trap, but also prevents the contents from being seen, or they are constructed from glass with a solid metal funnel-shaped opening which prevents the draining 0E of the water without first removing the funnel.

I have overcome these objections in my novel construction which comprises a container of transparent material, such as glass, and which is provided with a funnel-shaped cap of wire gauze through which the water may be drained off without liberating the fish from the pail.v

The object of the invention is to provide a combined bait pail and fish trap, which shall be cheap, durable and efficient, light in weight, easily carried and providing a storage space for fishing tackle when not in use as a bait pail.

Another object of the invention is to provide ln a device of this kind, means whereby the same may be placed in proper position as a fish trap and prevented from rolling or other movement.

Another object of the invention is to provide a bait trap in which the body or container is nearly the same color as the Water and being transparent does not scare the fish from entering the same.

Another object of the invention is to provide a bait pail in which the trap end is constructed of wire mesh or gauze having an opening through which the fish pass in entering the trap, the mesh allowing the water to be poured out of the con tainer without liberating the fish.

Another object of the invention is to provide means whereby the funnel-shaped cap may be readily removed from the container to give access to the bait when desired for use.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for transporting the device from place to place without danger of losing either the bait or the water contained therein.

Another object of the invention is to provide means whereby the funnel-shaped cap may be closed if so desired.

With these and other objects in view, my invention consists in certain novel construction and combination of parts as will hereinafter be fully .described and claimed, and further illustrated in the accompanying drawing which forms a part hereof and in which like figures of reference refer to corresponding parts in all of the views, and it is understood that slight changes may be made 5 .without departing from the spirit of the invention;

In the drawing: l

Figure 1 shows a side elevation o1' the device in position for use as a fish trap.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the same, showing the construction and combination of parts. l

Figure 3 shows an end view looking into the funnel-shaped cap. 15

Figure 4 shows the same end with the addition of a detachable cover for the opening.

Referring to the drawing:

The device comprises a jar or container I0 of transparent material such as glass and which is 20 formed with one closed end integral with the sides, a neck II and a collar I2 formed with a thread or threads I3.

Secured around the neck II is a wire or band I4 which is formed with the two opposite spaced 25 eyes I5, and an eye or loop I6 to which may be attached a line; the ends of the band I4 being secured together by twisting as at I1.

Within the eyes I5 are secured the looped ends I8 of a bail handle I9 which is provided with the 30 hand grip 20; this handle I 9 being adapted to be swung under the container I0 to act as a support to prevent turning when the same is placed in the bed of the stream for use as a bait trap.

The collar I2 which is formed with one or more 35 threads, may if desired, in place of the threads I3 be formed with a beading or other means for detachably ,securing thereon a cap 2|, which in this case is formed with corresponding threads.

'Ihis cap 2| is formed with a central opening 40 leaving a narrow rim 22, to the innerface of which is attached by some suitable means such as solder the flanged edge 23 of a funnel 24 constructed from a metal mesh or gauze material with the inlet opening through which the bait 45 enters the trap in the usual manner, the container I0 being transparent, and being not only filled with water, but submerged under the Water presents no obstruction to the bait which will not observe the wall of glass, as they would ii.' 50 the container were of opaque material shutting out the light.

Should it be desired to do so, the cap 2| may be provided with two U-shaped clips 26 for retaining in a detachable manner the clips 21 55 formed on the opposite sides of a cover plate 2l, which may be used for coverinz the opening to the funnel.

As before stated, in place ot the threads for holding the cap on the container, other means may be employed, and should the container break, another can be readily used with the same cover and funnel without having to replace the entire article as is the case where the container and funnel are of the same material and in one piece.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

In a combined bait and minnow trap oi.' the class described, the combination oi a transparent cylindrical container formed with a neck portion and an open end. a threaded collar integral with said neck, an annular ring adapted to be threaded thereon, a flange formed on said ring, a wire mesh funnel secured to the inner face of said nange and projecting into the container, clips formed on the opposite face of said flange, and a cover plate detachably secured within said clips to cover the open end ot both the ring and the container. f

FRANK SCHONGER. 

